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Page 330
"No," Alinor said. "At least, that was not his main purpose, although it might be a welcome side benefit."
"Now, Alinor"
"Listen to me," she cried, getting to her feet. "His purpose was to fix your attention on Arundel's party"
"That is ridiculous. Where else would my attention be?"
"It should be on your own back," Alinor exclaimed. "If you look for treachery in Arundel's party, you will be blind to it in your own. You said FitzWalter is the king's creature. Is he above running you through from behind? It has been dry for weeks. The grass is dead and brittle. How long will it be before the dust is so thick that the watchers will see nothing"
"They are likely to see a hole in the back of my mail," Ian put in caustically. "Do not be so silly, Alinor. That is the last thing the king would desire."
"Oh, FitzWalter will not be alone in it. Perhaps he and the other favorites of the king, for whom it would be natural to fight in the king's party, will have some arrangement whereby the hole is in the front. You will be surrounded by men seeking your blood. You mustIan!"
Alinor's furious and despairing cry was wrung from her because her husband, who had been looking more and more blank, had suddenly burst out laughing, slapping his thighs and stamping around in a circle.
"The king's love," he gasped, when he was able to speak, "that was what Vesci meant by appreciating the king's love. I did not think Vesci was the kind for tortuous planning. And Leicester!" He began to laugh again. "I was furious with you, Alinor. Leicester came to me today and offered himself and four of his knights, and I thought you had gone to him and asked for his help. Now I see. Leicester and Vesci must both have heard what FitzWalter came to tell us." Then he wiped the tears of mirth from his eyes and sighed. "You need

 
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